Q. When are Try-Outs?
TRYOUTS DETAILS:
- Our Tryouts are held at 395 Country Club Road, Middletown during our regular teams training.
- May 1-5 and May 8-12 will host tryouts.
- The first 2 weeks in May all registered players will be contacted to join us for our team training.
- All our current Sporting members should also register for the 2023/24 tryouts.
Tryouts location will be at: 395 Country club road Middletown CT 06457.
Q. Who should try out?
Any player who believes they have the required skills, ability and desire to play at the elite level of junior soccer in the state/region and ultimately has the ambition to play both in High School and College and even beyond that, professionally and internationally.
Q. My child was born in September, can he/she try out with the other kids in his/her grade?
Adhering to all of the newly implemented United States Soccer Federation (USSF) mandates - Sporting request that the following age brackets are used as a guide to which age group your child should tryout for. Unfortunately, it is not as simple as playing with people you are in the same grade as or with those who may have been on your team previously.
Age groups for the 2023-24 seasonal year:
Under 8 born between 1/1/16 - 12/31/16
Under 9 born between 1/1/15 - 12/31/15
Under 10 born between 1/1/14 - 12/31/14
Under 11 born between 1/1/13 - 12/31/13
Under 12 born between 1/1/12 - 12/31/12
Under 13 born between 1/1/11 - 12/31/11
Under 14 born between 1/1/10 - 12/31/10
Under 15 born between 1/1/09 - 12/31/09
Under 16 born between 1/1/08 - 12/31/08
Under 17 born between 1/1/07 - 12/31/07
Under 18/19 born between 1/1/06 & 05 -12/31/06 & 05
Q. What is the registration procedure for tryouts?
Complete the online registration link filling out all the required information. One of our Directors will reach out to you to set up an opportunity for your child to join training for the team who fits your age group profile.
Q. Will there be tryouts for goalkeepers?
Yes, as with the field player tryouts, there will be both a technical assessment and game observation for perspective goalkeepers. This will take place at the same time as the field player sessions. Upon arrival please make yourself known as a goalkeeper to our staff coaches and you will be positioned accordingly.
Q. How will the teams be selected?
The coaches of our existing teams will conduct assessments during regularly scheduled training sessions. These sessions will also involve additional assistant coaches & the directors of our program to encourage all players are assessed accurately and fairly. Teams will be selected from a collective recommendation & feedback from the head coach, assistant coach, evaluators & program directors.
Q. How many teams/positions will there be in each age group?
If sufficient player quality exists we will look to form squads of the following sizes:
At U8-12 we will look to create a developmental pool of 22-26 players per age (with 2 teams being fielded each week).
At U13 & above decisions on a number of teams per age group will be made relative to the interest and ability levels of participants. On any team however, squads of 20 are allowed to be registered. *Please note only 18 players can ever be dressed for a game.
*It is important to note that though these places are available, positions will not be filled unnecessarily. Only players with the appropriate credentials will be selected.
Q. Should my child attend all tryouts?
Yes! your child should do their best to attend both tryout dates. As these dates will be by appointment, there should be no issues in terms of getting your child in for training. The ‘Formal Tryout’ week is mandatory for anyone who has not made any tryout or assessment prior.
Q. When will my child be notified about whether he or she made a team?
Beginning May 1st, Sporting CT Players who have registered for tryouts with the intention of returning to the program are eligible to begin receiving invitations. For players’ new to our program, upon the completion of the tryout/assessment date, players will be offered one of three responses – Registration Offer, Call Back to be Practice player or No Thank You.
Final communication will occur within 1 week of the last formal tryout.
*If a place on a team is offered you will be requested to provide an answer (along with a non-refundable deposit if you say yes) to your respective coach/program director within 72 hours
Q. My child is already on a Sporting team. Is it necessary for him/her to try out again?
YES. All current Sporting CT team players will need to attend tryouts and earn a place on a team for next season if they deside to stay with the club.
Q. Will my child be on a team with the same players who are on his or her Premier team this year?
There are no guarantees that the same demographic of players will continue year on year. Infact with the different levels of development prevalent in young players it is likely that at the earlier age groups the make-up of the group will differ significantly year on year. Couple this with the fact that many younger players engage in multiple sports resulting in differing levels of interest and it is very likely there will be a number of new faces on your child’s team each year.
Q. Can players that don't try out be added to a team throughout the year?
Yes, however without attending tryouts there is no guarantee there is going to be space available within a team or age group. If a roster is not full, and the coach perceives a new player (unattached to any other Premier Club) to have the required potential to contribute positively to the team a place can be offered mid-season.
Q. Will my child keep their coach from year to year?
Not indefinitely. As a club Sporting suggests a two-year maximum term for a coaching cycle. This is done for a number of reasons but primarily to ensure each of our players is exposed to a variety of delivery methods and variations on the themes within our overarching style of play. Players are, therefore, not solely exposed to one coach's ideology which we feel should help prepare them appropriately for life in High School and College, where each coach will likely possess their own specific nuances relative to the game of soccer and how it should be played.
Can my child “play up”?
As a club, our ambition is to develop teams with players of age who can compete at the highest level of soccer available in the state & beyond. As such, we feel like the level of competition available should be appropriate and challenging enough to accommodate each player’s developmental needs. Thus, we request that players play at their respective age groups.
*Please note - should a player differentiate themselves significantly through their performances in games and during practice, they may be afforded the opportunity to play up with an older age group within the course of the season. It is important to know that this, however, will only be considered on an individual case by case basis and typically only when they display excellence and a readiness to meet the demands of the next level across at least 3 of the 4 components of the game (technical, tactical, physical and psychosocial skills)
Q. Do I have to pay my annual dues up front?
No. Unlike other programs, Sporting do not require you to pay all money up front. We ask for a $600 deposit upon registration with the rest of the fees being split over a payment plan for the rest of the year. Payment dates will typically include September, November and February installments. If payment is not complete by March players will be suspended from play until the balance is settled.
*Please note our ambition is to never have the price be a preventative factor in participation so if it is not possible to fulfill the financial obligation we do offer financial aid/scholarship packages and will work to find a model that fits your needs as long as all necessary supporting evidence is provided.
Q. Where do the Sporting teams play?
Our U8-12 teams compete at the state level so fixtures can take place anywhere within Connecticut. Expect to have 4-6 home games and 4-6 away games per season. Our home venues are one of the two MYS fields located at either 395 Country Club Rd or 300 Long Hill Rd.
Our teams aged U13 and above will compete at a Regional Level and therefore can play anyway from MA to RI.
As a commitment to our older players and as part of the club's College Pathway program, we take our High School aged teams to a variety of College Showcase tournaments throughout the New England and Mid-Atlantic regions. These events will incur a travel obligation and out of state stay.
During the winter months, our teams will train indoors at Sports on 66 indoor arena in East Hampton CT - and play in the indoor leagues across the state.
Q. What is the time commitment for the players?
With 3 nights a week of training available to every age group and mandatory for ages 11 and above, expect 4.5 hours per week to be committed to training. During the Spring & Fall seasons, all teams will also play at least one game per weekend.
Please note that during any of our 3 seasons (Fall, Winter, Spring) the league obligation can extend to more than one fixture per weekend.
Q. Can my child play Premier soccer at the same time as Travel soccer and other sports?
Yes, Sporting advocates our players being involved in other sports and recognizes the benefits afforded to players because of this. What we would ask, however, with any additional involvements is that the commitment to Sporting (given the level of training, competition and insight we afford) takes precedence should there be a direct conflict of schedule.
Regarding Travel soccer, we suggest that players stay involved in their town programs until such a point where they feel the experience is no longer a beneficial one to their longer-term development.
Q. What about in the Winter, can my child play for another Premier club?
No. While players are free to attend any additional skills clinic they may choose, they cannot represent or formally train with another competing Premier organization at ANY time during the year they are registered with our club. Failure to adhere to this will result in exclusion from our program.
Q. My child wants extra training opportunities - can you provide that?
Yes. At Sporting CT we have a number of supplemental programs that run throughout the course of the year, most of which are discounted for our members. These begin with our Summer Camps and extend to our Ball Mastery Program, Goalkeeper Programsand Winter Skills Clinics.
In addition to this, however, we will work to provide any player that wants it with the opportunity to train during the Fall and Spring, either with the age group above or below their team ensuring an extra practice opportunity is presented. Simply make this desire known to your respective staff coach and additional schedules will be provided to you.
Q. What about other classes to help their development. What do you offer outside of just soccer training?
At Sporting our ambition is to be the best provider of Development Tools and Resources for our players BAR NONE.
As such we can exclusively offer our members the following programs that will help with both understanding and improving their performance.
Sporting CT Coaches private sessions - Most of our coaches provide private session for individual or small group players
Sporting CT Player Preparation Program - A Spring and Fall Conditioning program for all our players designed and led by certified Strength and Conditioning trainer Dylan Hogan.
Use of Physical Therapist from our partner Select Physical Therapy
Medical and Surgical support and advice in the event of an unfortunate injury from our club consult Dr. John Driscoll
College Pathway program - Run once a year by our Boys Director Andrei Popescu
Q. Does Sporting CT have a Playing Time Policy?
Within the Developmental pools (U8-11), players will, where possible, receive at least 50% playing time within games. Beyond this (U12) playing time will be dependent upon performance levels within both training and games. Though all players will have some involvement within each game a guarantee on quantity cannot be given.
Q. What does Sporting CT Cost?
Sporting CT fees vary by age, however here are the basics:
Payment are split in 4 equal amounts dates are June 15th or when sign up for next season for deposit. Second Payment is due September 15th , Third payment is due November 15th last payment is due February 15th.
U8-U9 $1650 - fees includes all training, outdoor league/game fees,coaching fees,indoor training and league play as well as tournament fees (2 tournament per year)
U10 $2,150 - fee includes all training, outdoor league/game fees, coaching fees, indoor training and league play as well as tournament fees.
U11-14 - $2,650 - fee includes all training, outdoor league/game fees, coaching fees, indoor training & league play as well as tournament fees.
U15+ - $2,500 - fee includes all training, outdoor league/game fees, coaching fees, indoor training & league play as well as college showcases
Q. What are the uniform fees?
Uniform fees within Sporting are a one-time cost. Our uniform cycle runs over 2 years, starting on the ‘Even’ Calendar years. Players coming into the program on the first year of the uniform cycle can keep their existing kit for two years assuming they remain with the program. Players coming in on the odd years will have their kit for 1 year and then need to purchase when the cycle renews. Playing in Nike attire our approximate costs include the following items: All uniform are order with soccer.com and they will be shipped back to your home address in 3-4 weeks time once you place order.
Starter Package - $275.00 Mandatory
Includes: 2 x Nike Game Jersey, 2 x Shorts, 1x Nike Practice Tees, 2 x Socks, 1x Training Jacket
Full Package - Optional price depend what your order
Includes: 2 x Nike Game Jersey, 1 x Game Shorts, 1 x Practice Shorts, 1 x Nike Tiempo Practice Tees, 2 x Socks, 1 x Pants, 1 x Backpack, 1 x White Nike Compression Shirt, 1 x Winter Coat.
*Exact cost determined by sizing of the items ordered.
